You Won’t Believe What’s Inside This Pyramid

Field Trip: Great River Road Launching Pad

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis

Every epic road trip needs a launching pad. It’s either a gathering point for the travelers or a quick first stop to set the tone of adventure for the whole trip. For the 50 Campfires Field Trip: Great River Road, the launching pad was Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Perfect!

We hooked up with our official photographer Kylie Fly and got acquainted with our Nissan Armada on the ride on I-40 from the airport to the Pyramid. Pulling up to the place, we all sat in stunned amazement. How could we have not known about this place? How could we have not come here before?

It’s huge! It’s amazing. It has everything one might need … and then some … as the launching pad for a weeklong outdoor adventure to experience the southern stretches of the Great River Road.

Stocking up for fishing, hiking, camping … whatever outdoor adventures the road trip may bring? Not a problem. The Bass Pro Shops retail store fills more than 200,000 square feet … yes, you read that right … of the Pyramid’s 500,000 square feet. That makes it the largest single retail store in the country. And the pyramid … it’s the 10th tallest in the world and the Statue of Liberty could easily stand up inside of it.

While you may be anxious to begin your road trip, there’s plenty to keep you here. Like the sign says, “Welcome to Paradise.” There are many restaurants … outdoor themed of course … and even a bowling alley in which the ball returns are bust sculptures of great white sharks. There’s an indoor marina at which the Bass Pro Boat brands display their wares.

If you need fishing tackle for your road trip … like we did … well, you’ve not only come to the right place … you’ve come to the best place in the world!